Weird story links World Emoji Day to Apple
World Emoji Day happens on July 17 every year -- but why? The holiday's story takes a circuitous path through Apple history. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

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It’s World Emoji Day – which are your favourites?
I’m sufficiently old and grumpy to have resisted the use of emoji for a long time, wondering what was wrong with, you know, words – but I did find myself assimilated in the end. The tiny colorful substitutes for vocabulary now make up a growing percentage of our communication, especially since Apple allowed any emoji to be used for tapback reactions .. more…

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TSMC US chip production may soon only be three years behind Taiwan
TSMC is working to build two plants in Arizona faster, a move that could bring more Apple chip production to Arizona quicker — but don't expect the newest chips.A worker passing a TSMC signThe TSMC facility in Phoenix, known as Fab 21, is the chip foundry's first factory in Arizona dedicated to chip production. However, while two others are under construction, TSMC plans to have them up and running sooner than first thought.According to Nikkei, TSMC intends to speed up construction of the two sites considerably. The factories will be accelerated "by several quarters," TSMC claims, with the intention of bringing them online faster. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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iPhone 17 Pro may actually get that scratch-resistant, anti-reflective display
Macworld With a little less than two months to go until Apple unveils its late-2025 phones, an intriguing new feature which had looked increasingly unlikely to appear has suddenly roared back into contention. The iPhone 17 Pro is reportedly going to get an anti-reflective screen after all. The technology, designed to make phone displays more resistant to scratches as well as cutting back on reflected glare, was first touted as a possible upgrade for the iPhone 17 as long ago as March 2024, six months before the launch of the iPhone 16. As interesting long-term rumors often do, this seemed to get less plausible the closer we got to the launch, and in April of this year we covered a report that it had been scrapped because of “problems scaling up the display coating process.” But hold your horses, because MacRumors now says it’s back on. Basing its coverage on an unnamed “reliable source,” the site claims that Apple suppliers “have been able to achieve a high enough yield on the anti-reflective glass to support mass production” and that the new screen will feature on the iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Pro. The two non-Pro handsets will not get the upgrade, which could help Apple upsell its more expensive models. It’s believed that the new screen coating may be the same Gorilla Armor that Corning made for Samsung’s Galaxy S24 Ultra, which came out in January 2024. (In their review of that phone, our colleagues on Tech Advisor said they “had no problem using the phone outdoors, even on a bright sunny day.”) It certainly sounds similar, and Apple has a long-standing relationship with Corning. So when we say it’s a new feature, the reality may be that it’s only new to the iPhone, and will have been on the market for the best part of two years when it makes its debut on the iPhone 17 Pro. To keep up with all the latest news and rumors concerning this fall’s releases, bookmark our regularly updated iPhone 17 superguide. And if you’d rather buy now than wait for the new handsets, peruse our roundup of the best iPhone deals for the lowest prices on the current range.

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Apple News+ introduces ‘Emoji Game’
Apple News+ debuted Emoji Game, an original puzzle that challenges subscribers to use emoji to complete short phrases. Emoji Game is… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.

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Bigfoot, Orca, and a Trombone, are among new emoji coming to iOS 26
To mark World Emoji Day, the consortium that decides on new emojis has unveiled a selection of which ones will be formally announced in September, and then come to devices starting at some point in iOS 26.Every year, the Unicode Consortium considers proposals for new emoji, and those proposals go through various stages before being ratified in September. This year, the Consortium has once more unveiled some future emoji, but also taken the further step of confirming these will all be included in its next official version of the standard.It's common for more than a hundred new emoji to be added at the conclusion of each year's deliberations, and it's likely that the same is true for 2025 into 2026. The Unicode Consortium, however, has announced only eight so far:Apple Core Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Apple celebrates World Emoji Day with early release of 'Emoji Game'
Announced as part of iOS 26, due out in September, "Emoji Game" has instead been launched to mark July 17's World Emoji Day — and for iPhones running iOS 18.Playing "Emoji Game" (screenshot edited for clarity)Apple has marked World Emoji Day before, notably in 2017 when it unveiled new emoji — and in 2018, when profile pictures of Apple executives were all changed into Memoji. Now, though, it's gone further with the unexpected early release of a new game.Emoji Game is part of Apple News+ and is one of that service's many puzzle games for subscribers. Note that as with all Apple News+ puzzles, Emoji Game is not available internationally. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Apple Partridge Creek closing, as downtown Detroit store nears its opening
Apple is preparing to close its Apple Store in Partridge Creek, ahead of the opening of a new store in downtown Detroit.Apple Partridge Creek - Image Credit: AppleThe closure of an Apple Store in an area is usually a sad affair. But, in the case of two locations in Michigan, one outlet closes in preparation for the opening of another in a more prominent location.The Apple Store at The Mall at Partridge Creek, Clinton Township, Michigan will soon be closing down, Apple has confirmed. The iPhone maker told The Detroit News that the lease for the location will not be renewed. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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More Apple chips to be made in US as TSMC accelerates Arizona plants
More Apple chips are set to be made in the US as TSMC said it is busy accelerating the construction of its second and third Arizona plants, fulfilling a promise made back in March. The chipmaker is bringing more advanced processes to the US earlier than initially expected, allowing it to make chips for more recent Apple products … more…

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MacBook Air vs Pro compared: Which Mac laptop is right for you?
Macworld Verdict: The MacBook Air is a more affordable option, suitable for everyday tasks, while the MacBook Pro offers superior performance and features, making it ideal for more demanding users. Apple’s most popular Mac laptop is the MacBook Air, which offers a great combination of features for the typical user, but there is another MacBook to consider is you are looking for the best MacBook – the more powerful MacBook Pro. In this feature we aim to help those who want to buy an Apple laptop, but aren’t sure what the difference between the MacBook Air and the MacBook Pro is and whether the cheaper Air can be as good as the Pro. We’ll explain the advantages and disadvantages of buying a MacBook Air or MacBook Pro, we’ll discuss what makes the MacBook Air so popular, and we’ll talk about which uses each Mac laptop is best suited to. We’ll also look in depth at the various specs and features of the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro so you can see how the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro compare in terms of price, display, design, processor, graphics, storage, RAM and more. What’s the difference between MacBook Air and Pro? On one side we have the MacBook Air, a slim, stylish Mac laptop that is, according to Apple, the most popular laptop in the world. It offers excellent battery life and more than enough power for daily tasks at an affordable price. On the other side, the MacBook Pro offers three levels of power to meet the needs of even the most demanding user, more RAM, more storage, longer battery life and a significantly superior display. Those extra features aren’t cheap though. There is so much mode to differentiate the different Apple laptop models as you will see if you read on. MacBook Air vs MacBook Pro: Compared The Mac laptops that have our attention are the 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Air and the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro. The differences between the MacBook Air models and the entry-level 14-inch MacBook Pro models are less pronounced than those between those, more consumer focused models, and the MacBook Pro models with the Pro and Mac processor variants, as you will see if you read on. We will compare design, specs, displays, price and other features below. Apple 13-inch MacBook Air – Apple's cheapest MacBook Pros Low price Cons Slower than MacBook Pro Price When Reviewed: $999 Best Prices Today: Retailer Price $849 View Deal $897.50 View Deal $898.05 View Deal $999 View Deal $999 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide View more prices Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Who is the 13-inch MacBook Air for? The MacBook Air will more than meet the needs of the majority, with the added bonus that it’s lighter than the MacBook Pro. This is also the Mac cheapest Mac laptop you can buy, and you may be able to get it for even less than Apple sells it for – take a look at our round up of the Best MacBook Air deals. What you need to know about the MacBook Air, 13-inch The 13-inch M4 MacBook Air was last updated in March 2025. It is the cheapest MacBook Air you can buy, starting at $999/£999. For that you get an M4 chip with 10-core CPU, 8-core GPU, 16GB memory, and a 256GB SSD.  Spend $200/£200 more and you can get a slightly better 10-core CPU plus double the storage, at 512GB. That $1,199/£1,199 model is our top choice as you get a better 10-core GPU and double the storage, and you will probably need that extra storage at some point.  For $1,399/£1,399 you can get more unified memory (Apple’s name for RAM): 24GB instead of 16GB, but you will probably be ok with 16GB RAM. Those are the standard configurations. There are more build-to-order options available that include 32GB unified memory, and 1TB or 2TB SSD. Read: M4 MacBook Air: Everything you need to know for more information. Apple 15-Inch MacBook Air – Cheapest big screen MacBook Pros Large screen at a good price Cons Slower than MacBook Pro Price When Reviewed: $1,199 Best Prices Today: Retailer Price $1,077.50 View Deal $1077.5 View Deal $1079 View Deal $1189 View Deal $1199 View Deal $1199 View Deal $1199 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide View more prices Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Who is the 15-inch MacBook Air for? If you want a bigger display and budget doesn’t run to the MacBook Pro, the MacBook Air with 15-inch display will be sufficient. The specs are comparable, even battery life is the same. You are essentially paying $200 for the bigger screen and a six speaker sound system (compared to the four speakers in the 13-inch). If you need more power though, you might be better off looking for an discount on an older MacBook Pro model. What you need to know about the MacBook Air, 15-inch If you want a larger screen for your Mac laptop then the cheapest option is the 15-inch MacBook Air. This Mac shares many of the specs of the 13-inch model, but offers a 15-inch display. The cheapest 15-inch MacBook Air you can buy was last updated in March 2025 and starts at $1,199/£1,199. For that you get an M4 chip with 10-core CPU, 10-core GPU, 16GB memory, and a 256GB SSD. Spend $200/£200 more and you can get double the SSD at 512GB. That’s $1,399/£1,399. For $1,599/£1,599 you can get more unified memory (Apple’s name for RAM): 24GB instead of 16GB.  Those are the standard configurations. There are more build-to-order options available that include 32GB unified memory, and 1TB or 2TB SSD. Read our full Apple 15-inch MacBook Air (M4, 2025) review Apple 14-inch MacBook Pro – More power, higher price Pros All MacBook Pro models have superior display Excellent battery life for M4 model Cons High price, even for M4 model M4 Pro/Max models have worse battery life Price When Reviewed: $1,599 | $1,799 | $1,999 Best Prices Today: Retailer Price $1,414 View Deal $1415.5 View Deal $1499 View Deal $1599 View Deal $1599 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide View more prices Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Who is the 14-inch MacBook Pro for? This is a Mac to choose if you need a little more oomph than the MacBook Air can give, but don’t have the money for a MacBook Pro with M4 Pro chip. For those with slightly above average requirements, the M4 MacBook Pro is better suited to processor intensive operations than the MacBook Air and should be sufficient. The other major reasons to choose the MacBook Pro are it’s significantly better screen, better battery life, and additional ports. If you need a bit more power and have the budget for the M4 Pro or M4 Max models the 14-inch MacBook Pro offers better value for money than it’s bigger screened sibling. What you need to know about the MacBook Pro, 14-inch The M4 MacBook Pro arrived in October 2024. The MacBook Air that arrived in March 2025 has the same processor, so you might be forgiven for thinking that the two laptops are identical, but they aren’t. The most obvious indication that the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro are different beasts is the price: The 14-inch MacBook Pro starts at $1,599/£1,599. That’s $400/£400 more than the entry-level MacBook Air. Those two Macs aren’t really comparable though. The MacBook Pro M4 has an 10-core CPU, 10-core GPU, 16GB memory, and a 512GB SSD, so it’s actually more like the 13-inch MacBook Air with 512GB SSD for $1,199/£1,199 or the equivalent 15-inch MacBook Air with 512GB SSD for $1,399/£1,399.  What are you getting for the extra money if you choose a MacBook Pro? We’ll discuss this in a lot more detail below, but, essentially, you get a Mac with a better display, better heat management, better battery life, better audio and more ports. All of those features may be well worth the extra expense when compared to the MacBook Air. There is also a lot more choice when it comes to the components of the MacBook Pro. The M4 models can support up to 2TB SSD and 32GB RAM, like the MacBook Air, but there are also more powerful M4 Pro and M4 Max models, with the M4 Pro supporting up to 48GB RAM and the M4 Max supporting up to 128GB RAM. The M4 Pro can support up to 14-core CPU and 20-core GPU, while the M4 Mac can support up to 40-core GPU. Those models come with an exceptionally high price though, starting at $1,999/£1,999 for the M4 Pro and $3,199/£3,199 for the M4 Max. More on the specs below. To get the best deal on a MacBook Pro read our round up of the Best MacBook Pro deals. We also discuss the M4 Pro and M4 Max MacBook Pro models in our MacBook Pro comparison. Read our full Apple 14-inch MacBook Pro (M4, 2024) review Apple 16-inch MacBook Pro – Ultimate Mac laptop Pros Excellent battery life Cons Very high price Price When Reviewed: $2,499 | $2,899 Best Prices Today: Retailer Price $2,232.50 View Deal $2257.85 View Deal $2399 View Deal $2499 View Deal $2499 View Deal $2499 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide View more prices Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Who is the 16-inch MacBook Pro for? The 16-inch MacBook Pro is the ultimate Mac, but it doesn’t offer better specs than the 14-inch MacBook Pro. All it offers is a bigger display and netter battery life – both of which may be the most important factor in your decision. If you need a big screened powerful Mac get the 16-inch MacBook Pro, or consider a 14-inch MacBook Pro with an external display. Take a look at the Best Mac monitors and displays we have reviewed. What you need to know about the MacBook Pro, 16-inch The 16-inch MacBook Pro comes with M4 Pro or M4 Max chip, there is no standard M4 option here. The entry price is a hefty $2,499/£2,499 for an M4 Pro, 14-core CPU, 20-core GPU, 24GB Unified Memory, and 512GB SSD. The equivalent 14-inch model costs $2,399/£2,399, but has twice as much storage at 1TB. The M4 Pro can support up to 48GB unified memory in the MacBook Pro. The specs are similar to the 14-inch MacBook Pro, with the option of upgrading to an M4 Max with up to 40-core GPU, up to 128GB Unified Memory, and up to 8TB SSD. What are you getting for the extra money if you choose a 16-inch MacBook Pro over the 14-inch model? Other than the bigger screen, you get better battery life, but not really anything else. We’ll discuss this in a lot more detail below. Read our full Apple 16-inch MacBook Pro (M4 Pro, 2024) review MacBook Air vs MacBook Pro: Price and value for money Since budget is often the main issue, we’ll start with price and how much you get for your money. With no ‘budget’ MacBook Pro available, the MacBook Air is the only option for those looking for a bargain. If you are looking for the cheapest option the $999/£999 MacBook Air would appear to be the clear winner. However, we recommend spending $200/£200 more to get the 10-core CPU/10-core GPU 512GB MacBook Air, which is worth every extra penny. The price of the MacBook Pro is higher, and on everyday tasks it performs the same as the MacBook Air, but it does offer better performance on long, CPU-intensive tasks, like image and video rendering and similar tasks. Not to mention the better screen, HDMI port, and SDXC Card slot, and more discussed below. At $200/£200 more than the 15-inch MacBook Air with M4 and the same 512GB SSD, it actually represents good value for money. MacBook Air vs MacBook Pro: Display One of the biggest differences between the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro is the quality of the display. There is a lot more to separate the displays than diagonal measurements. 13-inch MacBook Air: 13.6 inches diagonal, 2,560 by 1,664 pixels 14-inch MacBook Pro: 14.2 inches diagonal, 3,024 by 1,964 pixels 15-inch MacBook Air: 15.3 inches diagonal, 2,880 by 1,864 pixels 16-inch MacBook Pro: 16.2-inches diagonal, 3,456 by 2,234 pixels You’ll notice from the above that there are significantly more pixels on the MacBook Pro screens – even when compared to a larger MacBook Air model. The MacBook Air has what Apple calls a Liquid Retina display. The MacBook Pro has a superior Liquid Retina XDR panel. The image quality is significantly better on the MacBook Pro. However, to the average person the screen quality of the MacBook Air will be more than sufficient. It’s not just fewer pixels though. Both Airs have a maximum brightness of 500 nits, which is half of the Pro’s 1,000 nits in normal use, or a third if you’re running HDR content at a max of 1,600 nits of which the MacBook Pro is capable. This is achieved by the Pro display incorporating mini-LEDs rather than the Air’s standard LCD screen. Perhaps the biggest difference though is that the Pro features ProMotion, meaning that the refresh rate tops out at 120Hz, again double that of the Air’s 60Hz refresh rate. This helps keep scrolling and animations smooth and crisp. Any of these displays will be great for everyday use and long hours of work, but the Pro has the edge when it comes to features. And there is more. With the M4 MacBook Pro, Apple introduced a nano-texture glass option that has a matte-like finish for $150. This option is not available on the MacBook Air, and if you need to cut down the glare from the display, it’s a feature to consider. All of this is mute if you will plug your Mac into a display, of course, in which case you can buy a display that offers you the screen quality you need. 15-inch MacBook Air (left) and 14-inch MacBook Pro.Foundry MacBook Air vs MacBook Pro: Performance Difference There’s a reason why there is a “Pro” in the name. The MacBook Pro is better suited to pro users, by which we mean creative professionals, graphic designers, photographers, film makers, 3D animators, programmers, and so on. A MacBook Air would be more than sufficient for home users, students, and office workers, but as soon as you start to push it with something more demanding, like movie editing software, or a computer game, you might find it heats up and slows down a bit, at least in comparison to how a MacBook Pro would deal with the dame demands. That’s why we tend to recommend the MacBook Air to those who go beyond the typical user. Despite this, if you are upgrading an old computer, the MacBook Air will feel super speedy whatever you are doing with it. We have the data below to show just how much better MacBook Pro performance is compared to the MacBook Air. The chart below shows the Geekbench results for the various processors.

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Cyberpunk 2077 Mac players get dynamic presets that aren’t possible on a PC
Macworld After five long years, Cyberpunk 2077 is finally available for the Mac today, several months after Apple teased Mac gamers during the M4 MacBook Pro reveal in October. (Actually, Apple said in the presentation that the game is coming in the “early” part of 2025, but better late than never.) Apple also said at the time that Cyberpunk 2077 is “one of the most graphically demanding and complex games ever created,” and to help gamers get the best experience, CD Projekt Red has included what it calls “For this Mac” presets that dynamically adjust its settings for “an optimal balance between visual quality and performance.” With the presets, the more powerful the Mac is, the higher the settings will go. The minimum requirements for Cyberpunk 2077 are an M1 series Mac with at least 16GB of RAM running macOS 15.5 Sequoia or later. The older the chip, the lower the game’s resolution will be. For example, M1 Macs will play the game at 1440 by 900 or 1600 by 900 resolution at 30 fps, while an M3 Ultra Mac runs Cyberpunk 2077 at 2294 by 1432 or 2560 by 1440 resolution at 60 fps. CD Projekt Red notes, however, that the presets do not activate Ray Tracing, which is only available on M3 and M4 Macs. Users of those Macs will have to turn on ray tracing manually in the graphics settings. As for storage, Mac App Store shoppers will need to allocate 159GB for the game with “all voiceovers included,” while customers of GOG, Epic Games Store, or Steam will only need 92GB. So if you have a Mac with 256GB of storage, you’ll need a speedy external drive.

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Many Gen Z use Find My and other apps to share their location with friend groups 24/7
A new report suggests that many people who belong to Gen Z use Find My and other apps to permanently share their location with groups of friends. A study earlier in the year found that 40% of Gen Z adults share their location with three or more people, and a new piece found it was common to location-share with double digit numbers of friends … more…

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Listen up: 10 reasons why you need to switch from Spotify to Apple Music
Macworld Apple popularized digital music consumption in 2003 with the launch of its iTunes Store, selling both albums and individual tracks. But in the years that followed, the industry evolved from selling to streaming music, with companies like Spotify leading the way. Apple got the message, and duly copied Spotify’s business model by offering the entirety of its catalog for a fixed monthly fee–and Apple Music was born. I recall the early days of Apple Music. While the app worked, the music discovery algorithm was noticeably inferior to Spotify’s, and its features were too limited. That’s no longer the case. Spotify continues to shine with its algorithm and Connect continuity feature, but Apple Music has arguably become the superior streaming service. If you’re primarily using Spotify, you’re missing out on these ten unique Apple Music perks. Monthly stats Spotify’s popular annual Wrapped event may feature a wider range of statistics and fun facts about your listening habits, but Apple Music’s Replay beats Wrapped in a couple of ways. Apple Music provides monthly Replay stats, letting you check your top songs and artists on a regular basis throughout the year. You still get the classic year-end recap that sums up the entire year, too. If you’re curious about your all-time top songs, you can also check the newly released Replay All Time playlist, which compiles the 100 songs you’ve played most often since you first subscribed to Apple Music. Forget that measly annual summary. We want to see a summary of the past decade.Mahmoud Itani / Foundry AutoMix: A next-level AI-powered DJ Spotify has long offered an AI-powered DJ, generating personalized song queues and relevant commentary. Apple’s take on an AI DJ is different. With iOS 26, Apple Music brings an optional AutoMix feature that takes the traditional crossfade to the next level. AutoMix doesn’t merely blend the start and end of two songs based on a preset number of seconds. Instead, it uses AI to analyze the audio, then applies time-stretching and beat-matching effects to merge the two tracks seamlessly. It’s quite trippy, and Spotify seemingly hasn’t built an equivalent yet. Karaoke mode Apple Music has an exclusive Sing feature that turns your Apple device into a karaoke machine. It goes beyond just time-synced lyrics; Sing intelligently muffles the artist’s original vocals to spotlight yours. With Continuity Camera support on Apple TV, you can also appear on the big screen while you sing and insert special effects and backgrounds. Yes, you just got Rickrolled. We are very sorry.Mahmoud Itani / Foundry Dolby Atmos support Another Spotify omission is Dolby Atmos support. With spatial audio tracks on Apple Music, your favorite songs become more immersive—particularly when wearing compatible headphones. Thanks to head tracking, the soundstage adapts to your movements, mimicking the feel of a live performance. Lossless quality Similarly, Apple Music offers a significant portion of its catalog in lossless quality. While most users probably can’t tell the difference, audiophiles with compatible equipment get to listen to the tracks without audio degradation. Spotify has been rumored to be working on high-fidelity support for years, but it’ll reportedly cost subscribers even more, if and when it actually launches. Classical catalog In 2021, Apple acquired the classical music streaming service Primephonic and promptly shut it down. The firm then released a dedicated Apple Music Classical app that offers unique features unavailable in the main Music app. These include track backstories and more granular search based on historical periods, composers, orchestras, and more. While you will likely find the same tracks on Spotify, the company doesn’t offer a dedicated app or interface with the same perks for classical music enthusiasts. Classical music has its own nuances and complexities that a generic music app struggles to accommodate.Mahmoud Itani / Foundry It’s easier to avoid podcasts Whereas Spotify and YouTube Music seem to regard music and podcasts as largely interchangeable, Apple safeguards our sanity by keeping the two (very different) audio categories separate. Music browsers on Spotify are liable to bump into distracting and annoying podcasts and audiobooks, but Apple delivers the two content types via separate apps. This also allows the company to add relevant features to the Music app without creating unnecessary bloat on Podcasts, and vice versa. Photos integration Apple Music subscribers get to insert their favorite songs into Memories created in the Photos app. For those unfamiliar with this popular feature, it lets you create attractive slideshows of photos (and other media) tied to a specific event, place, time period, or set of people. To make the clip more personal, you can select background audio from the millions of songs available on Apple Music. Apple’s Memories feature can be surprisingly poignant, especially with a soundtrack that evokes a period of your life.Mahmoud Itani / Foundry Native HomePod playback Apple lets third-party developers build native HomePod extensions. Some streaming services such as YouTube Music have already adopted the API, which means users can play songs directly on the smart speaker, even when their iPhone is powered off or out of range. Apple Music subscribers can obviously do the same. But Spotify? The company seems to be too busy whining about Apple’s anti-competitive behavior to implement the API. Which means Spotify subscribers get a worse experience. Bundled with Apple One Lastly, Apple Music is included with all Apple One bundle tiers. So, no matter which plan you’re on, you get access to Apple Music at no additional charge. This is a big advantage for those heavily embedded in Apple’s product ecosystem, as it offers access to all of the company’s main subscription services at a discounted price. Similarly, eligible students can unlock Apple Music and TV+ for a reduced cost.

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Apple adds support for 13 additional car manufacturers to Wallet’s Car Key feature
Following several significant CarPlay-related announcements at last month’s WWDC event, Apple has announced that car keys will soon be supported by 13 new vehicle brands inside the Apple Wallet app. The car key feature is exactly what it sounds like, and allow for stored car keys to grant access to a vehicle using an iPhone […] Source

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Google warns that Chrome 138 will be the final version to be compatible with macOS Big Sur
If you’re still using macOS Big Sur and are a fan of Google’s Chrome web browser, it might be about time to upgrade your operating system. Google has confirmed that its upcoming Chrome 138 browser update will be the last version to support macOS Big Sur. The company has stated that Chrome 139 and later […] Source

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No more flimsy mounts—the HyperMount keeps your iPhone in place for $25
Macworld If you’re anything like me, your iPhone has basically become your co-pilot. Whether it’s navigating to the next client meeting, queuing up a playlist for the road, or taking hands-free calls, it needs to stay visible—and stay put. That’s where the HyperMount vacuum car mount comes in to make it easier to stay connected while driving. On sale now for just $24.99 (reg. $29.99), this thing doesn’t mess around. Unlike flimsy vent clips or suction cups that fail the first time summer hits 90°, the HyperMount uses a vacuum lock mechanism and sticky gel pad that grips your dashboard or windshield like a beast. It’s tough, low-profile, and can rotate 360° for whatever angle works best. It’s made by HYPER—yes, the same team known for their Mac-friendly hubs and power solutions—so it’s no surprise this mount plays nice with iPhones and other smartphones up to 6.9 inches. The adjustable cradle ensures your device stays secure, even when you inevitably miss a turn and have to hit a U-turn like a stunt driver. Make your iPhone more usable, even when your eyes and hands are on the road. Grab one of these HyperMount vacuum car mounts for just $24.99 while supplies last. HyperMount Vacuum Car MountSee Deal StackSocial prices subject to change.

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ChatGPT for Mac now doubles as an AI meeting assistant
You can now use ChatGPT's Mac app to transcribe meetings, brainstorming sessions and voice note (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

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Macworld Podcast: Apple’s plans for 2026
Macworld 2026 is shaping up to be a very big year for Apple. On this episode of the Macworld Podcast, we’re talking about the new products Apple could release next year, including an unexpected change for the Mac. This is episode 942 with Jason Cross, Michael Simon, and Roman Loyola. Watch episode 942 on YouTube Listen to episode 942 on Apple Podcasts

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iPhone 17 Pro may feature MacBook-style anti-reflective screen
With Apple suppliers supposedly resolving the yield issues, the iPhone 17 Pro might just come with an anti-reflective display. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

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Apple News+ launches clever new ‘Emoji Game’ for iOS 18.4 and later
Apple is expanding its collection of Apple News+ Puzzles with yet another new game. This time, Apple is tapping into something we all know and love: emoji. The new Emoji Game was initially announced as part of iOS 26 at WWDC. The game, however, is now rolling out to all iPhone users running iOS 18.4 and later as well as iPadOS 18.4 and macOS 15.4. more…

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9to5Mac Daily: July 16, 2025- iPhone display rumors, more
Listen to a recap of the top stories of the day from 9to5Mac. 9to5Mac Daily is available on iTunes and Apple’s Podcasts app, Stitcher, TuneIn, Google Play, or through our dedicated RSS feed for Overcast and other podcast players. Sponsored by 1Password: For a limited time, get $20 off the easiest way to stay secure online with 1Password—featuring a new passkey feature that lets you go passwordless on compatible apps and sites. more…

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Grok may be breaking App Store rules with sexualized AI chatbots, and that’s not the only problem
You know it’s a day that ends in y because there is a new Grok controversy. Except this time, it touches on the App Store’s rules for sexual content, which is something that Apple has shown time and time again that it doesn’t mess around with. more…

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What’s new with Notes and Reminders in iOS 26
Apple is revamping nearly all its native apps in iOS 26, including Notes and Reminders, with fresh features and design updates… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.

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Apple racks up lots of Emmy noms, with 27 for ‘Severance’ and 23 for ‘The Studio’
Macworld Apple has racked up more Emmy nominations than ever before. Apple’s press release states, “Apple TV+ today earned a record-breaking 81 Emmy Award nominations across 14 hit Apple Original titles,” but Apple counts its two nominated commercials, which nobody else does. Anywhere else you look, you’ll see 79 nominations. When Apple says “record-breaking” they must mean they broke their own record, which was the 72 nominations it received last year. It is by no means a record for a single network, as HBO Max has 142 this year and Netflix has 120. The second season of Severance earned a whopping 27 nominations, more than any program from any network this year. The standout hit–for Apple–is its comedy The Studio. It earned 23 Emmy nominations, tied with The White Lotus for third place overall and a record for any comedy in its first season. Other standout shows include Shrinking and Slow Horses (two of our favorite Apple TV+ shows), with seven and five nominations, respectively. Lots of nominations doesn’t mean lots of winners, though. We’ll find out which series won and for what at the Creative Arts ceremonies on September 6 and 7 and the Primetime Emmy Awards ceremony on September 14. If you want to know what to watch, we maintain a complete list of all the Apple TV+ shows and movies here. We also maintain a list of upcoming projects so you know what to look forward to. If you don’t have Apple TV+, we have to covered, with our article telling you how to get Apple TV+ for free or discounted.

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iPhone 17 Pro may get display upgrade Apple reportedly scrapped
After months of conflicting reports, Apple is once again expected to bring a more scratch-resistant, anti-reflective display to the iPhone 17 lineup — at least partially.In March, we'd heard rumors that the iPhone 17 display would be improved. Specifically, the glass would be more scratch-resistant and less reflective.Then, in April, an anonymous source alleged that Apple abandoned the plans for that same anti-reflective, scratch-resistant display. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Razer’s new TB5 dock supports triple 4K displays and SSD storage expansion
The new Razer Thunderbolt 5 Dock offers requisite blazing-fast data speeds, but also built-in support for SSD storage expansion. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

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Price war: Save $250 on Apple's M4 MacBook Pro with 24GB RAM, 1TB SSD
A MacBook Pro price war is heating up, with today's sale discounting the 14-inch model with an upgrade to 24GB of RAM and 1TB of storage by a substantial $250. Plus, save up to $450 on even more configurations.Grab a MacBook Pro with 24GB RAM, 1TB SSD for $1,749.Save $250: Pick up Apple's M4 14-inch MacBook Pro with 24GB RAM, 1TB SSD for $1,749 at Amazon and B&H Photo.Save $250 on Apple's current 14-inch MacBook Pro in Silver with a bump up to 24GB of unified memory and 1TB of storage. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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CIRP: AirPods regain market share, but overall growth stalls
A new report out today from Consumer Intelligence Research Partners (CIRP) shows that while remain the most popular wireless earbuds among iPhone users, Apple might be feeling the pressure of slowing growth. more…

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iPhone 17 Pro could get exclusive new anti-reflective display
Apple’s iPhone 17 line will be here soon, and today a rumor indicates the 17 Pro and Pro Max could get an exclusive anti-reflective display feature. Here are the details. more…

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These iOS 26 features will only be available on newer iPhones
iOS 26 brings a lot of changes to the iPhone. While the biggest highlight—the Liquid Glass redesign—is available on all iPhones that can run iOS 26, there are several features in the new update that require newer iPhone models and Apple Intelligence. Here are the features and their device requirements. more…

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DOGE Denizen Marko Elez Leaked API Key for xAI
Marko Elez, a 25-year-old employee at Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), has been granted access to sensitive databases at the U.S. Social Security Administration, the Treasury and Justice departments, and the Department of Homeland Security. So it should fill all Americans with a deep sense of confidence to learn that Mr. Elez over the weekend inadvertently published a private key that allowed anyone to interact directly with more than four dozen large language models (LLMs) developed by Musk's artificial intelligence company xAI.

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UK Charges Four in ‘Scattered Spider’ Ransom Group
Authorities in the United Kingdom this week arrested four alleged members of "Scattered Spider," a prolific data theft and extortion group whose recent victims include multiple airlines and the U.K. retail chain Marks & Spencer.

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Microsoft Patch Tuesday, July 2025 Edition
Microsoft today released updates to fix at least 137 security vulnerabilities in its Windows operating systems and supported software. None of the weaknesses addressed this month are known to be actively exploited, but 14 of the flaws earned Microsoft's most-dire "critical" rating, meaning they could be exploited to seize control over vulnerable Windows PCs with little or no help from users.

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Big Tech’s Mixed Response to U.S. Treasury Sanctions
In May 2025, the U.S. government sanctioned a Chinese national for operating a cloud provider linked to the majority of virtual currency investment scam websites reported to the FBI. But more than a month later, the accused continues to openly operate accounts at a slew of American tech companies, including Facebook, Github, LinkedIn, PayPal and Twitter/X.

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Senator Chides FBI for Weak Advice on Mobile Security
Agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) briefed Capitol Hill staff recently on hardening the security of their mobile devices, after a contacts list stolen from the personal phone of the White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles was reportedly used to fuel a series of text messages and phone calls impersonating her to U.S. lawmakers. But in a letter this week to the FBI, one of the Senate's most tech-savvy lawmakers says the feds aren't doing enough to recommend more appropriate security protections that are already built into most consumer mobile devices.

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Free iPhone 13 or iPhone SE available at Total Wireless
No-contract carrier Total Wireless, an MVNO using Verizon's network, is offering a free iPhone 13 or 3rd-generation iPhone SE when you switch and choose their Total 5G or 5G+ Unlimited 3-month plan. The fine print: "Limited time offer while supplies last. Device taxes and fees may apply. Requires new activation on a Total 5G Unlimited 3-month plan or higher, external port in, and ID Verification. Available online or in Total Wireless stores. Other limitations apply." Keep an eye on our iPhone Price Tracker for the latest prices, sales, and plans from Apple and its authorized iPhone service carriers, updated daily.

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Apple Watch SE GPS models on sale starting at only $169, $80 off MSRP
Walmart has the Apple Watch SE, GPS-only, on sale this week for $80 off MSRP with prices starting at only $169. These are the cheapest new Apple Watch prices available today: - Apple Watch SE 40mm GPS: $169, $80 off MSRP - Apple Watch SE 44mm GPS: $199, $80 off MSRP Sale prices at Walmart are for online orders only, in-store prices may vary. Order online, and choose free shipping or free local store pickup (if available). For the latest prices & sales, keep an eye on our Apple Watch Price Tracker, updated daily.

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Roundup of the week’s lowest Apple AirPods prices
Amazon has Apple AirPods in stock and on sale for up to $80 off MSRP this week, including free shipping: - AirPods 4: $89.99, $40 off - AirPods 4 with ANC: $149, $30 off - AirPods Pro 2 with USB-C: $169, $80 off Walmart has Apple AirPods in stock and on sale on their online store for up to $80 off MSRP as well. Order online and choose free shipping or free local store pickup (if available): - AirPods 4: $99, $30 off - AirPods 4 with ANC: $149, $30 off - AirPods Pro 2 with USB-C: $169, $80 off Keep an eye on our AirPods Price Tracker for the latest prices and deals, updated daily.

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Mac mini with M4 Pro CPU on sale for $1259, $140 off Apple’s MSRP
B&H Photo has Apple's Mac mini with the M4 Pro CPU on sale for $1259, $140 off MSRP. B&H offers free 1-2 day shipping to most US addresses: - Mac mini M4 Pro CPU (24GB/512GB): $1259, $140 off MSRP Their price, along with Amazon's, is the lowest available for this mini. For the latest prices and sales, keep an eye on our Mac mini Price Tracker, updated daily.

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Amazon continues selling Apple Watch Series 10 models for $100 off MSRP
Take $100 off every Apple Watch Series 10 (Aluminum cases) at Amazon as continues part of their Prime Day deal discounts. Shipping is free: - 42mm Apple Watch Series 10 GPS: $299, save $100 - 46mm Apple Watch Series 10 GPS: $329, save $100 - 42mm Apple Watch Series 10 GPS + 5G: $399, save $100 - 46mm Apple Watch Series 10 GPS + 5G: $429, save $100 These are the lowest prices available for Apple Watch Series 10 models. For the latest prices & sales, keep an eye on our Apple Watch Price Tracker, updated daily.

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2nd generation Apple HomePod on sale for $20 off MSRP with free 1-2 day shipping
B&H Photo has Apple's 2nd generation full-size HomePod (White) on sale for $20 off MSRP. This is the steepest discount available on 2nd-gen HomePods among the Apple retailers we track. In addition, B&H offers free 1-2 day shipping on these models to most US addresses: - HomePod (White): $279, save $20 See our HomePod Price Tracker for the latest prices and deals from Apple and its resellers.

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Apple’s 16-inch MacBook Pros are their cheapest ever as Prime Day savings wrap up
Amazon has 16-inch M4 Pro and M4 Max MacBook Pros (Silver and Black colors) on sale for up to $442 off Apple's MSRP as part of their Prime Day deals. Shipping is free. Be sure to select Amazon as the seller, rather than a third-party seller: - 16" M4 Pro MacBook Pro (24GB/512GB): $2232.50, $267 off MSRP - 16" M4 Pro MacBook Pro (48GB/512GB): $2587.50, $312 off MSRP - 16" M4 Max MacBook Pro (36GB/1TB): $3117.50, $382 off MSRP - 16" M4 Max MacBook Pro (48GB/1TB): $3557.50, $442 off MSRP Prime Day savings are ending soon. Act now if you're interested! For the latest sales and prices, keep an eye on our 16-inch MacBook Pro Price Tracker, updated daily.

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Prime Day Deal: 14-inch M4 MacBook Pros for up to $250 off Apple’s MSRP
Don't pay full price! Amazon is offering a $170-$250 discount on Apple's 14-inch M4 MacBook Pros (Silver and Black colors) as part of their Prime Day sales. Shipping is free. Be sure to select Amazon as the seller, rather than a third-party seller: - 14" M4 MacBook Pro (16GB/512GB): $1429, $170 off MSRP - 14" M4 MacBook Pro (16GB/1TB): $1599, $200 off MSRP - 14" M4 MacBook Pro (24GB/1TB): $1759, $250 off MSRP For the latest sales and prices, keep an eye on our 14-inch MacBook Pro Price Tracker, updated daily.

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Prime Day Deal: 13-inch M3 iPad Airs for $120 off Apple’s MSRP
Amazon is offering a $120 discount on 13-inch M3 WiFi iPad Airs as part of their Prime Day sales. Shipping is free: - 13" 128GB M3 WiFi iPad Air: $679, $120 off - 13" 256GB M3 WiFi iPad Air: $779, $120 off - 13" 512GB M3 WiFi iPad Air: $979, $120 off - 13" 1TB M3 WiFi iPad Air: $1179, $120 off Note that some discounts are applicable to certain colors only--see their site for details. These are the cheapest prices available for 13-inch M3-powered iPad Airs. For the latest prices & sales, keep an eye on our iPad Air Price Tracker, updated daily.

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Prime Day Deal: Apple’s 11-inch M3 iPad Airs now $120 off MSRP
Amazon is now offering a $120 discount on 11-inch M3 WiFi iPad Airs as part of their Prime Day deals. Shipping is free: - 11" 128GB M3 WiFi iPad Air: $479, $120 off - 11" 256GB M3 WiFi iPad Air: $579, $120 off - 11" 512GB M3 WiFi iPad Air: $779, $120 off - 11" 1TB M3 WiFi iPad Air: $979, $120 off Note that some discounts are applicable to certain colors only--see their site for details. These are the cheapest prices available for 11-inch M3-powered iPad Airs. For the latest prices & sales, keep an eye on our iPad Air Price Tracker, updated daily.

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Prime Day Deal: Apple 13-inch M4 iPad Pros for up to $220 off MSRP
Amazon is offering Prime Day discounts on new 13" M4 iPad Pros ranging up to $220 off MSRP. Shipping is free: - 13-inch M4 256GB WiFi iPad Pro: $1185, $114 off MSRP - 13-inch M4 512GB WiFi iPad Pro: $1365, $135 off MSRP - 13-inch M4 1TB WiFi iPad Pro: $1699, $200 off MSRP - 13-inch M4 2TB WiFi iPad Pro: $2099, $200 off MSRP - 13-inch M4 256GB WiFi + 5G iPad Pro: $1366, $134 off MSRP - 13-inch M4 512GB WiFi + 5G iPad Pro: $1599, $100 off MSRP - 13-inch M4 1TB WiFi + 5G iPad Pro: $1914, $185 off MSRP - 13-inch M4 2TB WiFi + 5G iPad Pro: $2279, $220 off MSRP Note that sale price may vary based on color, see their site for details. These are the lowest prices available for new 13" M4 iPad Pros among the Apple retailers we track. See our iPad Pro Price Tracker for the latest prices and sales.

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Prime Day Deal: 11-inch M4 iPad Pros for up to $300 off Apple’s MSRP
Amazon is offering Prime Day discounts on Apple 11" M4 iPad Pros ranging up to $300 off MSRP. Shipping is free: - 11-inch M4 256GB WiFi iPad Pro: $899, $100 off MSRP - 11-inch M4 512GB WiFi iPad Pro: $1095, $104 off MSRP - 11-inch M4 1TB WiFi iPad Pro: $1439, $160 off MSRP - 11-inch M4 2TB WiFi iPad Pro: $1699, $300 off MSRP - 11-inch M4 256GB WiFi + 5G iPad Pro: $1099, $100 off MSRP - 11-inch M4 512GB WiFi + 5G iPad Pro: $1277, $122 off MSRP - 11-inch M4 1TB WiFi + 5G iPad Pro: $1644, $155 off MSRP - 11-inch M4 2TB WiFi + 5G iPad Pro: $2099, $100 off MSRP Note that sale price may vary based on color, see their site for details. These are the lowest prices available for new 11" M4 iPad Pros among the Apple retailers we track. See our iPad Pro Price Tracker for the latest prices and sales.

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